But wait! There's more....

This week, I finished listening to The King's Speech, by Mark Logue and Peter Conradi. It was terrific, especially if you like history. I really wanted to see the movie, but couldn't for the simple fact that I have this standard of no R movies. So, I did the next best thing--or maybe the better thing--and listened to the book. It was terrific. You get your British history, your world history, your WWII history, your medical history (the history of speech therapy), a lot of biography, and your speech therapy/psychology. Highlights:
-King George VI was a really good person. There have been a lot of rotten rulers from a lot of countries and from every time, but this guy was a pretty stand-up person. It's always great to read about a quality person.
-The perspective people had on stammerers and speech 'defects' (not my phrasing). It is kind of mind boggling. The trend was to treat it all as a psychological problem. So, Lionel Logue approached it as a physical problem, and it got some good results. Of course, there is a psychological element--any physical problem has psychological effects. But Logue helped people move past the physical problem, and that resolved any psychological side effects.
-Score one for archivists! This is a great example of how valuable our records can be.
Verdict: Well written story, definitely a worthwhile read.

But wait...there's more!
I also finished The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. So, I have mixed feelings about this one. It was interesting, and I would say it was good, but to say it was good seems the wrong approach. And it isn't really a question of did I like it or not. This is one of those books that just doesn't fit into the regular categories. 'Good' and "liked it' don't seem to be the right words. Should you choose to read it,you should know it is a bit risque, on the surface, but there is more to the story than that, and that is not what the story is about. -Ask people you trust, people who know you and your standards before you read it. There are a lot of really interesting issues addressed in the book, but the route it takes may not be up your alley. (I don't know if there is any other route that could have been taken).
Verdict: I liked the book. I think Atwood is a good author. But read with caution.

But wait...there's more!

I am currently listening to Planet Google: One Company's Audacious Plan To Organize Everything We Know, by Randall Stross. It is fascinating! I think I mentioned that this was a random choice at the library. But it turned out to be serendipitous. So far, the book has covered Google's dedication to openness, their approach to business, their growth, the Google Books project (which, I have heard a lot about, but this was a new perspective), Google translate (so interesting!), and the acquisition of YouTube. Just to name a few topics. I am learning a lot about Google, which, given it's huge presence in the world, can't be a bad thing. I haven't finished the book yet, but I definitely like it. I think the major disappointment is that the book was published in 2008, so there are 4 packed years that aren't covered!
Verdict: A delightful surprise, I'm really glad I pulled it.

But wait! One more...
I am also reading A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle. An oldie but a goodie. I have read this one before, but it's been a while, so I'm doing a reread. I have a niece who has been dragging her feet about reading this one, but I've got to get her to read it. It's terrific, so far. (But having read it before, I know it's good). I think I'm going to have to read more of L'Engle's books, though.
Verdict: A must read for everyone.

But wait! Just kidding. That's all for now. I did remember one more book I'm listening to, but I'll save that for later. I think I've reviewed enough for now. So, there you go. Happy reading!

Not in the mood

I'm in the middle of multiple books right now, but not quite done with any of them. I finished Starship Troopers, by Robert Heinlein last week, and I really enjoyed it. If you are looking for military sci-fi, it's a must read. If you are looking for a young man coming of age book, it's also a must read.

Anyway. Have you ever had one of those times when certain books just aren't fitting your mood? I usually read a pretty decent amount of young adult fiction. (Hey, I'm an aunt of young adults, I have to keep up on these things!) It's quick and easy, clean (generally), and some of the best, most thought provoking literature was written for this audience. (One example: The Giver by Lois Lowry, amazing dystopian novel. Definitely thought provoking. And it looks like they are making a movie of it!) Well, I had a couple of books checked out for this age group, and I started reading them, and I just couldn't get into them. One of them was just too over the top: fifteen year old girl on her way to an interview as a governess, worrying about the most ludicrously impossible things in the world. Way too dramatic. The other one had a potentially good plot, but I just couldn't get into it. I just wanted something deeper, something on my level. So I made a decision. I returned the books to the library and didn't read them.

Sometimes, I have moods in literature. And it seems like when I am in those moods, I can never find the book I'm looking for (what is it with unsatisfied cravings?!). Fortunately, this mood is pretty broad: I just want stuff that isn't written for teenagers or grade school students. I have discovered, though, that my list of adult fiction authors is pretty sparse. But, on the bright side, there is lots of space to fill, so I can experiment and find lots of new authors to enjoy. If you have any suggestions, I'm all ears (eyes? Since I'm assuming you'd mention them in the comments?) And I'll let you know what I discover, too. Serendipitous discovery--one of the great joys of reading. (ah, another post topic...)

Survival Guide

I am currently commuting all over the planet, and this week, I finished How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe by Charles Yu. (Cross one off my to read list)! When I was googling to find a link, a lot of reviews turned up. So, I guess we will add another one to the list. Although, I'm not sure I'm very good at doing reviews.

So anywho...living in a sci-fi universe. If I had to sum up this book, I would say "meta". Which is entertaining, because in my field, meta is big, but anyway, back to meta and sci-fi. I think i was expecting a spoof of the sci-fi genre, and if that is what you are looking for, this is not the right book. Although, it does have references to books and authors, like Ursula LeGuin and Star Wars. Everyone wants to be Han Solo. But not nearly as many as I'd expected. Instead, the book seems to use literature and time travel to discuss literature and time travel. Ergo, meta. It's interesting, and I enjoyed it, and it has a unique approach. But in the end, I think the real story is less about time travel and science fiction, and far more about living life to the fullest.

Which makes me wonder. If you strip away all the science fictional aspects of a story, what is really at the heart of it? I think there always has to be something that people can relate to, a very human story that draws us in. (I may have to explore this in a post at some point). But in this book, that story line is somehow more obvious.

I did enjoy the book, even though it wasn't what I expected. (Jacket summaries don't always correlate to the actual book. Have you ever noticed that?) It's not my all time favorite, but I'd pick it up and read it again. And i think next time, I'd definitely read it. It was a fun listen (I did the Book on CD) but I think I want to read it next time. Seeing words helps you focus. Trying not to get run over by semis is a bit distracting. Of course, nothing like a good book to help you recover from almost being run over by a semi!

Watcha Readin?*

I had a brilliant idea for a post, and now I can't remember at all what it was. Which is why I should write things down. I'm sure at some point in my life it will come back to me. Anyway, since I haven't really finished any books this week, and summer is here, I thought I would post on some of the books on my to-read list. It should be noted that this is not a comprehensive list. This is just the books I have checked out from the library at present and plan on reading/listening to.

How to Live in a Science Fictional Universe, by Charlie Yu. (cd)
I came across this one randomly and it seemed interesting. I don't know how it will turn out, since I don't know of anyone who has read it before, but it will be an adventure.

The Te of Piglet, by Benjamin Hoff.
I read The Tao of Pooh for a college class, and I really enjoyed it, and not too long ago, I discovered this book and I am hoping to find this one as enjoyable. As far as I know it builds on The Tao of Pooh so I am sure I will enjoy it. Same topic, same approach, I think, so I can't go wrong.

The King's Speech, by Mark Logue and Peter Conradi. (cd)
I really wish I could have seen this movie, but I am kind of a baby when it comes to ratings. I watched another movie about the same story and I figure, books usually top movies anyway.

Planet Google: One Company's Audacious Plan to Organize Everything We Know, by Randall Stross. (cd)
This is another random shelf pick. But, since I studied information science, it seemed somewhat relevant, and I figured, why not?

The Brenner Assignment: The Untold Story of the most Daring Spy Mission of World War II, by Patrick K. O'Donnell.
This one is an Amazon recommend book. But, it's about World War II and spies, so how can you go wrong?

Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters, by Lesley MM Blume.
Another Amazon recommend, and yes, young adult fiction, but I have to keep current. I have a lot of nieces counting on me for book recommendations. 

Write It When I'm Gone: Remarkable Off-the-Record Conversations with Gerald R. Ford, by Thomas M. deFrank.
So, I had the opportunity to attend a conference in Grand Rapids, home of the Gerald R. Ford Museum which created some interest in Gerald Ford (whose real name was not Gerald Ford. Who knew?) The other day, I had a chance to do some browsing at the library and remembered I wanted to learn more about Ford. This book was on the shelf, so it won.

Nicholas and Alexandra, by Robert K. Massie.
This one was recommended by a friend of mine. She said it was really good, and I do like history, so I  checked it out.

A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeline L'Engle.
I have read this one a long time ago and have been wanting to read it again. I also want my niece to read it, and checking it out was a good way to accomplish that.

This seems like a very adult list, which I must admit, is not at all typical for me. But, I felt like I needed to challenge myself a bit. And I do have a box of books I brought with me when I moved (most of my books are in storage), and there are some fun ones in there, so I have plenty to mix it up a bit. Now I just need to do some reading!

*This is, of course, a reference to Disney's Phineas and Ferb. Excellent show, I recommend it.  Gotta give credit.

I can relate to that

I am a fan of Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me. It makes me laugh and I take all the laughter I can get in my life. Each week, as they introduce the panelists, they often refer to books the panelists have written. I'm not sure why, but I decided to actually read something written by Tom Bodett. I was pleased to find that the library had some of his books, and checked out As Far as You Can Go Without a Passport. It was a very short and quick read, consisting of commentaries Bodett wrote back in the 80's (a time during which I was alive) for a local radio station. Each commentary became a chapter in the book and they were all about a page to a page and a half, which means that you can actually make progress in those spare five minute segments of life. But even better, it was a delightful read.

Bodett just writes about everyday, normal life. He writes about grocery shopping without a list, about family, friends, the missing sock phenomenon, and people in general. It's hard to choose which essays (which read like columns in a paper, not essays, really) I like the best, because they were all so relevant. For example, the essay about being in his thirties. Rather than feeling old and burned out, he expresses how great life is, and how exciting and full of possibility. I feel the same way. I am not young anymore, but I don't want to be. I like where I am at in life (on a general level. Some of the specifics I have issues with, but most of the time, not to a degree to sweat it). I also loved the essay about getting passionate about a cause. It just takes too much energy, and it seems like there are so many better things to be occupied with. Bodett manages to express it so perfectly.

While he does poke fun at the way people work, he also expresses a down-to-earth gratitude, such as in the when he writes about pregnant women, or the Group That Notices Things. Those chapters make you want to be a better person and leave you feeling good about humanity.

As the introduction to the book says, it's a normal book written about normal things by a normal guy. Which is almost a rarity anymore, if  you think about it. But don't let all that normalness fool you. It's a pretty simple book but it's a keeper.